Potomac Renovation Contractors
 If someone
in your family has a disability or is aging, your
bathroom renovation design
will either make the remodeled bathroom more comfortable and accessible or
inaccessible. Your design can easily incorporate the features and space
recommendations that will make the bathroom more accessible for everyone.
The
housing industry has outlined several levels of accessibility standards in
bathroom design and construction
ranging from barrier free to accessible to industry standard
housing. The main difference is in how accessible it is for everyone with
special needs. Over the last few decades, bathroom designers, architects and
manufacturers of fixtures and other bathroom safety products have begun to
respond to the need for greater accessibility (and safety) in bathrooms. The
result is a set of standards known as universal design.
Many of
these features are nice to have in any home and can be added with little or no
cost when you remodel a bathroom. Regardless of your current situation, you
might want to review the list and see if some of these recommendations can work
in your new bathroom for the comfort of your family.
The
universal design recommendations for bathrooms include:
- Place
electrical receptacles at 15 or 18 inches above the floor
- Allow a
door opening width of 34 – 36 inches
- Leave a
minimum of 18 inches of clear floor space beside all doors on the “pull side”
to allow space to get out of the way when opening doors
- Leave a
turning space in the bathroom of 5 feet in diameter (for wheelchair)
- Use
contrasting colors between floor surfaces and trim to make them easier to see
- Choose
easy-to-use hardware: lever door handles, push electrical plates, loop handle
pulls on drawers and cabinet doors, lever faucet handles, touch latches,
keyless locks
-
Position light switches 35-44 inches above the floor, maximum
-
Pressure balanced anti-scald valves at tubs and showers
-
Hand-held showerheads at all tubs and showers in addition to fixed heads.
- Bathing
fixture requirement: minimum 5 feet long by 3 feet deep (4 feet preferred)
curbless shower or tub with integral seat, waterproof floor and a floor drain
- 30” by
48” clear floor spaces at each fixture (spaces may overlap)
- Clear
space of 3 feet in front and to one side of toilet
- Toilet
centered 18 inches from any side wall, cabinet or tub
- Broad
blocking between studs in walls around toilet, tub and shower for placement
and location of grab bars
- Minimum
lavatory counter height of 32 inches
- Clear
knee space 29” high under sink (may be accomplished with fold-back
self-storing doors)
- No
pedestal sinks
- Mount
sink as close to front of countertop as possible.
These are
the primary elements of “universal design” in bathrooms. You might, however,
choose to install grab bars in tub and shower and beside and in front of the
toilet simply because it is helpful for people of all ages and physical ability.
If you are looking for a Potomac renovation contractor, please call us today at 301-440-0086 or complete our online request form.
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